Had difficulty turning left at this intersection? Relief is on the way, Lacey officials say
A discussion about Lacey transportation projects this week before a joint meeting of the Lacey City Council and North Thurston Public Schools board prompted questions and concerns about an area intersection.
The intersection in question is on 15th Avenue Northeast, in an area where a number of new projects and development is planned. Among them is the extension of College Street and the Williams Crossing apartments, with 262 units planned for the 5200 block.
Given more development in the area, North Thurston Superintendent Debra Clemens asked about the future of 15th Avenue Northeast at Sleater Kinney Road Northeast, noting the current challenges of turning left from 15th to Sleater Kinney.
This isn’t the first time that intersection has been questioned. When the Bradley Park subdivision was first pitched between 15th Avenue and Sixth Avenue Northeast, the city solicited public comment. Residents had some of the same concerns. The subdivision is currently under construction.
“I would like to comment that the intersections of Sleater-Kinney Road Northeast and 15th Avenue Northeast, and Sleater-Kinney Road Northeast and Sixth Avenue Northeast are already very difficult to turn out of at times due to the amount of traffic and speeding on Sleater-Kinney Road,” said one resident. “I hope if this development is approved, these intersections would be improved before construction begins.”
A traffic signal is planned for 15th and Sleater Kinney, Lacey Public Works Director Scott Egger told the joint meeting. However, it is not a condition of the Bradley Park subdivision, but has been dictated by a larger project on unincorporated county land known as Sleater Landing, he said.
Sleater Landing is at 26th Avenue Northeast at Sleater Kinney Road Northeast and will feature about 200 lots.
“The plans for the traffic signal have been approved and it is my understanding that materials have been ordered,” Egger said in an email to The Olympian.
Thurston County public works development review manager Todd Mason confirmed that information, although an installation date hasn’t been set.
“I’ve heard from the developer there’s significant delays in the supply chain of materials, so at this point they do not have a specific date for completion of the intersection,” Mason said in an email.
Much more is planned for 15th Avenue Northeast, Egger said, including widening the street to two lanes in both directions and adding a center turn lane or center islands for trees. A plan to remove a culvert that serves Woodland Creek and replace it with a bridge is also planned. He estimated the cost of the road widening at more than $60 million.
But the project is not happening soon, he said. “Big arterial projects are dependent on federal and state grants,” he said. “It takes time.”
City staff also provided an update on the extension of College Street to 15th Avenue. In a previous update, city staff said that nine of 13 parcels for right-of-way or construction easements had been negotiated for the extension. On Tuesday, staff said that they have just two to go.
Once the project goes out to bid, which is expected in late spring, it is estimated to take 250 working days and be complete at the end of summer 2025, according to city information.
This story was originally published May 23, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
